Analyst search engine method and system

Abstract

An analyst search engine system includes a query generation module for allowing a user to define a query containing one or more search terms. A query execution module executes the query with respect to a data structure. A result generation module generates a result set of data records. Each data record included in the result set of data records at least partially satisfies the search terms of the query. The data structure includes two or more data records, each of which includes a first data field that defines a pre-qualified analyst that is available to provide paid-for research within a specific business sector.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the priority of the following applications, which are herein incorporated by reference: U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 640,649, entitled, “Paid-for Research System and Method”, filed 30 Dec. 2004; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 550,796, entitled, “Research Coverage System and Method”, filed 5 Mar. 2004.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This disclosure relates to paid-for business services and, more particularly, to paid-for business research services. BACKGROUND [0003] Service providers (e.g., engineers, researchers, academics, contractors, and / or analysts) provide paid-for services for customers (e.g., individuals, corporations, agents and / or sponsors). Examples of the services offered by the service providers include: academic evaluation, research and reporting services; engineering evaluation, research, and reporting services; financial evaluation, research, and reporting services; product evaluation, research, and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] The user interface may include one or more processes executed on the client computer and/or one or more processes executed on the server computer. The user interface may be a webpage served by the server computer, and the web page may be viewable by a web browser process executed by the client computer.

[0021] At least one of the data records of the data structure may include a second data field that defines one or more experience descriptors indicative of the areas of expertise of the analyst defined in the first data field of the data record. At least one of the experience descriptors defines the median company size for which the analyst has performed research, one or more specialized sales forces offered by the analyst, one or more industry specializations of the analyst, one or more style specializations of the analyst, and/or the marketing/promotional activities of the analyst.

[0022] At least one of the data records of the data structure further may include a third data field that defines a market capitalization breakdown for the analyst. The market capitalization breakdown may include two or more capitalization range indic

Problems solved by technology

While Institutional Investors (i.e., entities such as insurance companies, investment companies, pension funds, and / or trust departments that invest large sums of money in the securities market) typically do not directly contract with analysts (at sell-side providers) for research-related service, Institutional Investors may still assert undue influence upon analysts and research firms.

For example, buy-side analysts and portfolio managers may make threats to sell-side analysts concerning e.g., the cutting of commissions and / or the withholding of votes in the various institution investors polls, for example.

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